When I'm Gone (Simple Plan song)

"When I'm Gone" is the first single from Simple Plan's self-titled third studio album, Simple Plan. It was released via iTunes and lala.com on October 29, 2007, in conjunction with a live webchat from the band.

"When I'm Gone"
Single by Simple Plan
from the album Simple Plan
Released	October 29, 2007
Recorded	2007
Genre	Alternative rock,[1] pop punk[2]
Length	3:49 (Album version) 3:42 (Radio edit)
Label	Lava, Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	Pierre Bouvier Chuck Comeau Nate Hills Arnold Lanni
Producer(s)	Danja, Dave Fortman[3]
Simple Plan singles chronology
"Crazy" (2005) "When I'm Gone" (2007) "Your Love Is a Lie" (2008)
Audio sample
When I'm Gone file help

History

A 25-second preview of the song was premiered on October 24, 2007 on simpleplan.com.^[4] The full song was premiered on simpleplan.com on October 29, 2007. It was done so in conjunction with a webchat with the band members, who answered fan questions during the chat.

The song was made available on iTunes the same day and the album was available for preorder on lala.com the following day (with a download of the single immediately available).^[5][6][7]

Music video

The band flew to Los Angeles on November 8, 2007 and filmed the video. It was filmed on Sunset Blvd and then in a soundstage outside North Hollywood. Perez Hilton filmed a cameo.^[8]

A 40-second pre-production preview of the video was aired on TRL and added to Simple Plan's website on November 6, 2007.^[9]

The video was premiered on MTV.com on December 10, 2007, and MuchMusic on December 11. Frank Borin and the band directed the video.

The music video has been available through the band's official channel on YouTube since December 13, 2007 and has since gotten over 17 million views as of December 2013 ^[10]

The music video is about a young woman, played by Zoe Myers, who drives around town to cope with her recent breakup with a former lover, played by Bouvier. She has not got over him, which makes her see him everywhere she goes. In the end, she freaks out and calls Bouvier. Bouvier sees who is calling and ignores the call and continues to enjoy his bottle of beer. Scenes with the band playing against a black backdrop are shown throughout the video.

Reception

The song received a lot of airplay in 2007, making it the most successful single from the album. The song also received positive reviews from critics. Rolling Stone called it "a seize-the-day anthem with a cathartic refrain". Entertainment Weekly in their review of the album recommended downloading "When I'm Gone".

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2007–08) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[11] 14 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[12] 37 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[13] 12 Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Wallonia)[14] 20 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[15] 11 Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[16] 8 Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[17] 9 Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[18] 25 Germany (GfK)[19] 42 Ireland (IRMA)[20] 39 Japan (Japan Hot 100) (Billboard)[21] 10 Mexico Anglo (Monitor Latino)[22] 1 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[23] 78 Russia Airplay (TopHit)[24] 63 Scotland (OCC)[25] 24 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[26] 23 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[27] 31 UK Singles (OCC)[28] 26 Venezuela Pop Rock (Record Report)[29] 5

Year-end charts Chart (2008) Position Australia (ARIA)[30] 93 Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[31] 62 Russia Airplay (TopHit)[32] 176

Track listing

All tracks are written by Simple Plan, Nate Hills and Arnold Lanni, except where noted.

Digital single^[33] and European CD single

No.	Title	Length
1.	"When I'm Gone"	3:42

iTunes single^[34]

No.	Title	Length
1.	"When I'm Gone"	3:49
2.	"When I'm Gone" (Live in NYC)	3:33

U.S. 7" single

No.	Title	Length
1.	"When I'm Gone"	3:51
2.	"When I'm Gone" (Acoustic version)	3:30

Australian and European CD single / iTunes EP^[35]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"When I'm Gone"		3:49
2.	"Running Out of Time" (non-album track)	Simple Plan Lanni	3:16
3.	"When I'm Gone" (Acoustic version)		3:29
Total length:			10:33